Old Tin Cup' Is Brought Out Of Gettysburg Closet

May 26, 1988|The Morning Call

"The Old Tin Cup" has found its way to Muhlenberg College.

This happens to be a trophy which was awarded to the winner of the Muhlenberg-Gettysburg football game from 1954 to 1961. It is small, simple and attractive and is mounted on a rectangular block of wood.

"Presented to the winner of the annual Muhlenberg-Gettysburg football game by the Muhlenberg Weekly and the Gettysburgian undergraduate newspapers" is what the front plaque on the trophy reads.

Also engraved on the plaques which adorn the trophy are the year and the school which won the game. Gettysburg won all the games played between 1954 and 1961. Even though the schools continued to play after that until 1964 the trophy did not move from its site but there was no presentation ceremony apparently because somebody was bored with the whole thing. Gettysburg won the games in 1962, 1963 and 1964.

The rivalry was renewed in 1981. The schools have been more evenly matched in these later years. The Mules won in 1982, 1984, 1986 and 1987. This year Gettysburg Athletic Director Bob Hulton found the trophy in a closet where it had been collecting dust since the early 1960's. As a gesture of good will, he had the trophy cleaned, restored and updated, and then he handed it over to Muhlenberg.

Muhlenberg Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ralph Kirchenheiter says he's happy to be part of the old tradition now that it's been renewed.

"A great idea," Kirchenheiter says. "It will work as long as nobody wins too many games in a row again. When that happens, it will be put in a closet for another 20 years.

The Mules earned the right for current possession of the trophy in 1987 with a 35-16 victgory at Gettysburg.